Burleson: Stafford making elite plays for Lions

Published: September 19th, 2011 | Tags: Nate Burleson, Around the League, Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford is healthy, and his ability to stay on the field (yes, it’s only two games) has allowed him the opportunity to impress just about everyone. That includes his teammates.

Lions WR Nate Burleson told NFL Network’s “Around the League” Monday that Stafford is making the same plays elite quarterbacks make.

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“The one thing I can point out about Matt is that there are certain plays and certain throws that he takes chances on that not a lot of quarterbacks can even try to attempt,” said Burleson. “I remember in the preseason game versus the Patriots I caught a ball over the middle and I went to the sideline and said, ‘I didn’t think you were going to make that pass.’ He looked at me and said, ‘well the guy’s head was turned; by the time I got the ball to you, he couldn’t find it.’

“That’s just the type of play that elite quarterbacks make. He’s young, he’s still showing everybody what he has. But hopefully by the end of the season [with] consistent play by us as a team and him as a quarterback, he’ll prove to people he is one of the better quarterbacks in this league.”

Due to injuries and other factors, Stafford didn’t find instant individual or team success like Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. But the former first overall pick in the 2009 draft might finally be showing he’s the best of the league’s young crop of quarterbacks.

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